Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  YEAH - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By hehe - December 27 - 10:00 am

  Great ride and other cool stuff. Better than a truck better than a SUV.

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  HD-2500 - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Cat Daddy - December 27 - 10:00 am

  The 2002 Chevrolet HD 2500 is pure pleaseure to drive! I love the raw power it delivers from the 6.0 engine. The interior is roomy,and the layout of the gauges and radio/ CD player is very functional.The interior does not have a inexpensive look as some reviewers state.The paint is very nice, with no orangepeel as with some vehicles. I really like the body style with the raised lines in the hood of the HDs, and the honeycomb grill.The trucks stance is also a plus, riding high above the rest of the traffic on attractive polished aluminum wheels. I have no criticism for the Chevrolet line of trucks.

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  my dream truck - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mountum - December 27 - 10:00 am

  This was my very first new truck purchase.I ordered it in dec. 2001and got it in mar.It was exactly what Iwanted and very sharp looking.Had one small problem, it liked oil;and lots of it.Used 2 qts the first 1200 miles then 1 qt every 1000 miles.The dealership finally changed the pcv and that has stopped the consumption.Also had to have the rear springs replaced.

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  The Last Car I Though I Would Ever Buy! - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By cyburbs - December 27 - 1:21 am

  The Chevy salesman shows me a low low mileage 2009 "program car" with a new car warranty, and the LT with many options. I reluctantly take it for a test spin. Its really not like an SUV, but its fun to drive like an old school VW camper van. Chrome wheels, 2.4L engine, sunroof, remote start, great XM radio, configurable seating, room for my dogs. Its really fun to drive. Bought it a week ago, and really love the ride.

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  This is the car you should consider. - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By rpike - December 26 - 7:59 pm

  I ordered, then picked up my Malibu in mid-August.I have 7,000 miles on it as of 12/09.This car is excellent inside and out.NO issues at all.It rides much more comfortable than my wifes 03 Volvo v40.In fact she ask to take my car out. Fuel sipper 30-33 MPG is 70%highway/30%city in Denver.The heated seats are much hotter that our Volvos. Interior much better looking and quality than Honda,Toyota,Mazda,and Ford. For me it came down to the Ford Fusion and Malibu.Did not like the looks of Accord or Camry.Malibu had better gas mileage than all the cars listed above. I researched this car for over a year and read everything I could find on it and GM. Why buy...MPG,styling,quality, craftsmanship.

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  1999 Astro Van - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By John Hilger - December 26 - 4:28 pm

  Bought van new and it performed well until it reached 60,000 miles. Then the electric door locks began to fail. The power window motor failed on drivers side. Water pump and and thermostat @ 80,000. 100,000 differential bearings went bad. 119,000 cooling leak around intake manifold gasket. Always maintained van and never abused.

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  Great Truck! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Maz - December 26 - 4:26 pm

  Im 18 yrs. old and this is my first truck! i love it! it drives better than any truck that i have ever driven! i love being in it because it is so comfortable! it has great pick up and i love the outside designs! I am very happy to be driving a 2002 Chevy Trailblazer! I dont think I could ever move to a car after owning this! it is really great!

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  Great car - a few suggestions - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Tom Rogers - December 26 - 4:26 pm

  We have enjoyed our Impala. Its 3.9L V6 has great acceleration. We like the fold down back seats and teh large trunk. The Onstar, XM radio, and on- bard phone are all great but too expensive. Initial tires were poor lasting only 60,000kms 37,500miles. No engine problems. In -40 weather there is no heat when idling. Had problem with stick shift stuck in park. Small window behind rear driver side door has molding fall off. Very low bumper on front somtimes catches on curbs and scratches the bumper.

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  1991 Camaro RS - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Charlie - December 26 - 3:58 pm

  I Bought My Camaro about a month ago. I am a young guy so i look for more of a sporty car and the camaro has it ! i love the RS Body Package it sits low and i love the hatchback. overall i love the interior and exterior on it. havent had any problems with the 3.1 6cyl but im gonna have to put a bigger engine in it later..OVERALL i say these camaros Look Great and are very fun to drive... NICE CAR!

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  Good Car - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Jared - December 26 - 1:10 pm

  Great all around car to have. I bought it with 97,000 miles a year ago. It had a few problems right away with the directional switch, but the dealer fixed it. Then it had a problem with the starter, but my warranty covered it. Besides that it is quite solid, and the engine purrs the way it did when it was brand new Im sure. I have no big complaints because all other problems are minor. The hinge on the storage compartment on mine broke too, and the transmission doesnt seem to grip right away when its shifted into park (it coasts a bit and then snaps to a rest pretty hard). Also, the gas mileage isnt great on mine (22 mpg) average, but Im buying some upgrades to improve that.